The little town of Dalin, located in Chiayi County in western Taiwan, is off the beaten track and not easily accessible. Yet on August 13, 2000, around twenty thousand people came here to celebrate the long-awaited opening of the Tzu Chi Dalin General Hospital. Unlike in most other hospitals, the number of visitors and volunteers far surpasses the number of patients. The place is so cheerful that it could be mistaken for a tourist resort.

In a sense the hospital is indeed a popular resort, for here the patients can relax in a friendly atmosphere. Volunteers treat the patients as their own relatives. Doctors and nurses work with the compassion of the Buddha, and patients can wholeheartedly rely on the medical staff to take care of their health. Yet this place is more than a hospital, and more than a resort-it is a hub of love. The following statements were greetings from distinguished guests on the day of the grand opening.

Years ago, Master Cheng Yen appealed to the public to help with the construction of Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital. Many responded to her call and gave whatever they could. Some only had enough to donate one brick or one bag of cement. Some contributed their physical labor. Regardless of the form and amount of their contributions, a magnificent hospital now stands before us because of their love. This Great Love is the hope of Taiwan.

That same love created the Tzu Chi Foundation's first hospital fourteen years ago in Hualien. Under the leadership of Master Cheng Yen, this hospital was upgraded from a general hospital to a medical center. This affirmation has won us wide recognition both in Hualien and in the entire Taiwanese medical field. During these fourteen years, we have accumulated a great deal of precious experience that we sincerely hope to share with everyone.

Dalin Hospital is fortunate, for it has a strong medical team led by Superintendent Lin Chin-lon. Dr. Lin is an authority in cardiology, Vice Superintendent Chien Sou-hsin is an authority in orthopedics, and Vice Superintendent Huang Chia-ching is a veteran in medical management. The team has received ample love from all Tzu Chi people, as well as the concern and blessings of Master Cheng Yen.

I am happy for the medical team in Dalin, for you have a very successful start. I am also happy for the local residents, because you now have an excellent medical resource. The Tzu Chi mission of medical care is the fruit of the loving commitment of all Tzu Chi people to carry out Master Cheng Yen's decision to help the sick. It is the manifestation of love made possible by the efforts of every Tzu Chi member. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all medical professionals to endeavor in providing excellent medical treatment so as to save life and protect health, for that is our mission as medical professionals.

A decade ago, the Tzu Chi Dalin Hospital promotion team began working towards the construction of this hospital. After many difficulties, Tzu Chi finally obtained a piece of land for the hospital site. Construction spanned three years and ten months. During those years many people contributed, and I am most grateful to them. These include the contractors, architects, and especially the members of the Tzu Chi construction committee, who came to the construction site almost every week to monitor and help. I am also grateful to all Tzu Chi people and all the loving people in the world, for without their donations for cement and steel, we wouldn't have such excellent facilities.

We must become conscientious doctors and provide high-quality, friendly and loving medical service for the people in this area.

For the last several years, Tzu Chi has brought light not only to Taiwan, but also to the whole world. Tzu Chi is the pride of Taiwan and we are indeed proud of you. Your medical mission has extended from Hualien to Dalin, and your charitable activities have spread from Taiwan to the world. Tzu Chi exemplifies the compassion of the Buddha, the radiance of human nature, and the power of love. Because of Master Cheng Yen's compassion, virtue and commitment, this infinite power is growing each second and increasing the radiance of human nature.

Of all the countries in the world, Taiwan ranks 135th in land area, 45th in population, but first in terms of love. I believe that as the twenty-first century dawns, the love demonstrated by Tzu Chi people will be the most valuable asset of the human race.

Over a decade ago, Master Cheng Yen noticed that people living in medically deprived Yunnan and Chiayi counties had to travel long distances to hospitals in other cities when they were severely ill. Believing that all life should be protected, she decided to construct a general hospital in Dalin.

I first met Master Cheng Yen twenty-two years ago at the Still Thoughts Abode, where she resides. There I saw nuns working in vegetable fields and making candles or handicrafts to earn their living, for they did not and still do not receive any offerings. Every penny of the donations they receive is used to help the needy.

Today, thirty-four years after the establishment of the foundation, Tzu Chi has four missions, namely charity, medical service, educational development and cultural promotion. These missions have extended to different parts of the world and have received support and contributions from individuals and organizations. I believe the main reason behind this widespread recognition lies in the persistent commitment of all Tzu Chi members to work for the realization of compassion and Great Love. Moreover, all donations are clearly recorded-every penny is spent to help the world. All this has gained the trust of all people.

Tzu Chi's medical care is of the highest quality. Many have told me that Tzu Chi Hospital in Hualien not only cares for patients' bodies, but also their mental well-being. The doctors, nurses and volunteers are all very friendly. They even patiently listen to and give sound advice on patients' family problems. In other words Tzu Chi Hospital not only cures illnesses of the body, but also illnesses of the mind.

There is a saying: "Virtue naturally begets wealth and reputation, like flowers naturally grow in the forest." Tzu Chi's compassionate acts have earned an excellent reputation.

I am from medically deprived Chiayi County, so I have keen experiences of the difficulty in getting medical attention. When I learnt that Master Cheng Yen had decided to construct a hospital in the Chiayi region, I was very grateful. I have participated from the planning stage, to the actual construction, to today's grand opening. On this day, we finally have a modern, well-managed, human-oriented hospital to protect the life and health of people in Chiayi and Yunnan counties. On behalf of the residents here, I would like to extend our gratitude to Master Cheng Yen.

People often look at the dark side of society, but let's not forget that there is also a bright side. All our society needs is a role model in purifying people's minds and correcting improper social practices. I hope Tzu Chi Dalin Hospital can be such a role model for Taiwan.

The opening of this hospital is the manifestation of Tzu Chi's commitment to make the world a better place. It is not only a hospital with 1,200 beds for a town of merely thirty thousand people. It also serves to upgrade the medical resources in the western and southern parts of Taiwan.

In recent years, people have asked me many times, "Is there love in Taiwan?" I tell them, "There certainly is-just look at what Tzu Chi does." Tzu Chi has called on all Taiwanese to rediscover the driving force behind the development of this island throughout the years-love for the land and the people. After the devastating earthquake that ravaged Taiwan on September 21, 1999, Tzu Chi volunteers have selflessly helped victims, assisted the government in relief activities, and encouraged people to get over the tragedy.

As Taiwan continues to develop a pluralistic, forward-looking society, a stabilizing force is necessary. I believe Tzu Chi-an organization that transcends race, nationality, culture and politics-will be such a force.

Superintendent Lin Chin-lon and I went to the same university at the same time. He led a successful life as a cardiologist in the United States. Then one day, he told me he was going to return to Taiwan to serve the people. His love for Taiwan deeply touched me. This time he willingly moved from Hualien to Dalin, again for a good cause. His love earned my respect.

According to Health Department statistics, before the opening of the Tzu Chi Dalin Hospital, every ten thousand people in Yunnan and Chiayi counties shared 2.8 beds. After the opening of the hospital, the figure increased to 3 to 4 beds per ten thousand people. In a few years, National Taiwan University Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital will also set up hospitals in these two counties. By then residents here will enjoy medical resources equal to those of Taipei, the capital of Taiwan.

We are grateful to Master Cheng Yen for giving Dalin a field of blessings. Thank you for building us such wonderful hospital, where even illiterate people like us [not uncommon among the older generation in Taiwan] can come to see doctors without any problem. Tzu Chi members always give us excellent service.

Around Dalin Hospital, many Tzu Chi volunteers paved the grounds with a total of 720,000 bricks. Everyone worked from one to six thirty every afternoon. They didn't stop even in pouring rain.

We are not good at talking-we are better at collecting recyclable items to sell for Tzu Chi. Thank you, Master Cheng Yen. We came to the hospital today to express our gratitude to you.